How Sane Are We? Anuradha Chaudhary

How Sane Are We?

Anuradha Chaudhary, Bangladesh (1947-)

b. Summarize the Essay "How Sane Are We?"

Though this essay the essayist tries to answer the question "How Sane Are We?" or how careful are we? According to Anuradha, we are not able to preserve nature as our ancestors handed it down to us. Modern people have been irrational, irresponsible to the care of environment. Man made chemical, Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which reduces the layer of ozone. Ozone layer is like a shield to protect the earth. It protects the earth by observing 99% of the ultraviolet rays. The ultraviolet rays have many harmful effectives. Such rays may cause serious damages in ecological and agriculture systems. People have different kinds of diseases. Knowing this according to Anuradha the use of CFCs should have immediately been banned to avoid fu damages in the earth CFCs were invented to in 1930s and used in refrigerator, trays, spray cans and computer chips etc. In 1974 scientists warned that these chemicals destroy the natural existence. But government and their producers took no notice this warning. In 1878 the use of CFCs was banned only in some products. The nations of the world agree to stop their production by 2006. A.D. Even now it is not effectively used in practical world. It is western politicians who are responsible for this damage of environment. They are greedy, shortsighted and selfish. They only think about their upcoming election and short-term benefits. They don't see the further result of their hasty decisions. So if we want to stop environmental degradation, we have to change the way we think and we change our decision making process.

c. Interpret the essay "How Sane Are We?"

Through this essay, Anuradha is trying to make people conscious about their activities and decisions making process. According to her people especially politicians are irrationally guided. They are selfish, shortsighted, greedy and foolish in their activities. Due to their carelessness, the environmental crises are being increased day by day. Anuradha attacks to the policy makers who are self- oriented. She says they think of immediate gains and ignore future ruin. Another important interpretation of the essay is that we must protect out ecosystem by any cost. Balanced ecosystem is very essential to all creatures. So, all people should be conscious and united to conserve the environment. Policy makers should not be irrationally guided and make policies. It will be nasty of decision if it is made hastily in hope of selfishness, greed and shortsightedness. Next the essayist says that the harmful chemicals CFCs should be banned in its use and makes the world safe and clean for all creatures. Otherwise out future and upcoming generation will live among problems and diseases.